Here we go again: the air territorial continuity will stop in less than ninety days, on May 14, and at the moment it is not possible to buy a ticket for the summer.

A chasm opens again in the skies of the island, making it impossible to plan a trip for Sardinians who want to leave and for tourists arriving. A situation that has been repeated since 2017, when the last four-year call expired and the system of connections with Rome and Milan slipped into a rough terrain made up of mini extensions, unforeseen events (from the liquidation of Air Italy to the bankruptcy of Alitalia) and negotiations with the EU.

There is now a ban on extending the contract signed last October by Volotea. The road traced by the Region and the Ministry plans to entrust the six Sardinian routes (between the airports of Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero and the national airports of Fiumicino and Linate) to the companies that want to manage the service "without economic compensation", obviously respecting minimum frequencies and tariff caps.

Two (or more) companies could be in the running, and Ita could also get back on track: in the event of acceptance of the service charges on the same route by several carriers, it would be up to ENAC, together with Assoclearance (the independent association that allocates slots at airports), share frequencies.

"In theory, the deadline for submitting the transitional acceptance would be May 14, 2022 but, clearly, this acceptance must be received in time for the verification of the carrier's requirements", explained the regional transport department by answering some questions from companies.

THE CRY OF ALARM - Fifteen business associations have written to the President of the Region, denouncing the "uncertain and indefinite prospects" of the tourist season, "considering that until May 14 it will not be possible to complete the picture of the carrier or carriers that will accept the service link". Therefore - they reiterate - "it is absolutely urgent to obtain, through the competent ministerial and European offices, an anticipation of the date, no later than March 15, by which the carrier concerned must present its availability on the routes to Milan and Rome for the summer season. ".